Rice, Jokes, Non Sequitur...

Comedian Mitch Hedberg said, "Rice is really good when you're hungry and
you want to eat 2,000 of something."

My son shared this with me a few weeks ago, and I've had the line sitting in a notebook page on my computer ever since.

I had never heard of Mitch Hedberg until my son told me about him.  He shared a few YouTube videos he found with me too.

Sadly, Hedberg, like many entertainers, died at a fairly young age. 

Here's what Wikipedia said about him:

Mitchell Lee Hedberg (February 24, 1968 - March 29, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian known for his surreal humor and unconventional comedic delivery.

Remembered for his distinctive delivery, Hedberg's comedy typically featured short, sometimes one-liners, and observational comedy, mixed with absurd and cool elements as well as non sequiturs. Hedberg's comedy and on-stage persona gained him a cult following, with audience members sometimes shouting out the punchlines to his jokes before he could finish them.

My son and I got curious about the phrase above.  We had to look up the number of pieces of rice one might find in a serving.  Sure enough, it's about 2,000.  So, the next time you want 2,000 of something, I'm sure you'll think of having a bowl of rice. 

Or the next time you're in the grocery store in the rice aisle, you'll think, "What was that comedian's name?"  I know I will.

And non sequiturs?  That's another fun discussion.

Ready? 

The phrase "non sequitur" is latin for "it does not follow." If an inference is made that does not logically follow from the assumptions of the preceding argument, then the inference is a non sequitur.

"Non sequitur" can be used a an fallacy to describe an unwarranted conclusion, but it is most often used when a statement openly contradicts itself and makes no sense.

One web page suggested this as an exmple of a non sequitur: 

1. The solution to this dilemma is obvious
2. Only experts have sufficient knowledge to assess the solution to this dilemma

International Society of Complexity, Information & Design Encyclopedia of Science and Philosophy - Non Sequitur

Another web site gives this definition of non sequitur:  an argument where the conclusion is drawn from premises which are not logically connected with it.

If I am in Brussels, then I am in Europe. I am in Europe; therefore, I am in Brussels.   (Uh...wrong!)

Argumentation & FALLACY - Logic, a Short Introduction

 

 

So, tell me...have you heard any good clean jokes today? 

Can you think of a good non sequitur?

Have a good rice recipe?

Just want to say howdy?